System for starting an engine from a remote location



J- C. BUCHER Nov; 18, 1969 SYSTEM FOR STARTING AN ENGINE FROM A REMOTELOCATION Filed March 29, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w s R mw 0. I C E U 0 v90258 W w 5545 9 c A VI R 22?. UPI 56mm ozfiuoaa m QEuwd w 90258 5225 A8J 105x396 9 20520. 0* J GOEQEUZUO GO EOkdJDQwE d; OE mZ Oh A REMOTELOCATION Nov. 18, 1969 J. c. BUCHER SYSTEM FOR STARTING AN ENGINE FROMFiled March 29, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FM TRANSMITTER 45o CPS 30o CPS 50oCPS 20o CPS CPS I00 I00 I00 I SPRING MOTOR mvmron Jeffery C. BucherATTORNEYvS SYSTEM FOR STARTING AN ENGINE FROM A REMOTE LOCATION JelferyC. Bucher, RD. 1, Aspers, Pa. 17304 Continuation-impart of applicationSer. No. 565,194,

July 14, 1966. This application Mar. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 724,668

Int. Cl. F02n 11/08, 11/14; H02p 9/04 U.S. Cl. 123-179 11 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A system for staring, from a remote location,a combustion engine having an electric starter motor associatedtherewith, said system comprising; a stepping-chain switching circuitresponsive to a selective series of control signals, means forimpressing the control signals onto the switching circuit for closingsaid circuit, and an actuating means connected to the switching circuitand adapted to be connected to the starter motor for energizing saidmotor, said actuating means including, a switching mech- United StatesPatent anism operatively connected to the switching circuit and adaptedtobe connected to a source of electric potential, said switchingmechanism being responsive to and closing upon closing of the switchingcircuit, a time delay mechanism operatively connected to the switchingmechanism and adapted to be operatively connected to the starter motorfor connecting the potential source to the motor when the switchingmechanism is closed to thereby energize the motor, and a circuit breakermeans operatively connected to the time delay mechanism and beingresponsive to starting of the engine for disconnecting the time delaymechanism from the switching mechanism upon starting of the engine tothereby prevent the time delay mechanism from connecting the potentialsource to vthe motor after the engine has started and for reconnectingthe time delay mechanism to the switching mechanism if the enginemomentarily starts but does not continue to run to thereby allow thetime delay mechanism to reconnect the potential source to the-motor forre-energizing the motor, said time delay mechanism being operative toprevent the potential source from being reconnected to the motor for apredetermined period of time after the time delay mechanism isreconnected to the switching mechanism so that if the engine momentarilystarts but does not continue to run, the motor will not be re-energizeduntil after the engine has stopped.

HRELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No.565,194, filed' July 14, 1966, now abandoned.

vBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Description of the prior art 3,478,730Patented Nov. 18, 1969 and receiver may be connected by wire or thetransmitter may comprise a means for generating radio frequency signalsand the receiver a means for receiving such signals.

Many advantageous uses for remote control systems necessitate theinstallation of either the transmitter or the receiver in atransportable apparatus. For such uses, the interconnection of thetransmitter and the receiver by wire often is precluded due to themovement of the transportable apparatus. Frequently, the mechanism whichit is desired to control from a remote location is mounted in thetransportable apparatus, requiring installation of the receiver in suchapparatus. In these situations, there is a practical necessity forutilizing a system comprising a radio frequency control signaltransmitter and receiver.

One of the problems inherent in the use of radio operated remote controlsystems is that whenever there is a possibility that a plurality of suchsystems will be operated in close proximity to one another, there is adanger that one or more of the receivers may initiate a control functionupon the receipt of a radio frequency control signal from the wrongtransmitter. This problem can be obviated by operating the systems atwidely separated radio frequencies. However, due to governmentalrestrictions and practical limitations, the necessary frequencyseparation usually cannot be achieved.

To overcome the problem of inadvertent control function actuation, thetransmitter of a radio operated remote control system frequentlyincludes a means for coding There are many-known means for remotelycontrolling the transmitted control signals, and the receiver includes ameans for decoding the received signals. In this manner, inadvertentoperation of one or more remotely controlled mechanisms mounted intransportable apparatuses may be minimized. The means utilized forcoding and decoding the control signals are varied, including equipmentfor generating and receiving amplitude modulated, frequency modulated,pulse modulated, and digital data signals.

One factor which practically limits the use of several reliable codingand decoding means in radio operated remote control systems designed forconsumer use is the high equipment cost. For example, the component andassembly costs of digital data and pulse modulation equipment generallyexceed that of practical availability to the average consumer.

Another limitation imposed on the use of some coding and decoding meansis the susceptibility to distortion from external interference of thecoded control signals generated by the equipment. Thus, althoughamplitude modulation equipment is not prohibitively expensive, due tothe likelihood of frequent signal distortion from external interference,such equipment lacks the degree of reliability necessary to insure thepreclusion of inadvertent control function actuation.

Frequency modulation coding and decoding equipment, however, may bedesigned which is withinpractical cost limitations and which possesses ahigh degree of reliability. The radio operated remote control system ofthe present invention is particularly adapted to be used by the averageconsumer for starting an automobile engine from a remote location; andtherefore optimally utilizes a system which incorporates frequencymodulation coding and decoding means.

Another problem particularly associated with systems for starting acombustion engine from a remote location is that when the enginemomentarily starts but does not continue to run, i.e. fires a few times,as frequently occurs in cold weather or when the engine is not optimallytuned, the actuating means of the receiver may re-energize the electricstarter motor associated with the engine before the moving parts of theengine have stopped. The seriousness of this problem becomes apparentupon a consideration of the usual operating relationship betweenaninter-.v

nal combustion engine and the starter motor associated therewith.conventionally, when the starter motor is energized a gear on thestarter motor shaft drivingly engages a plurality of teeth formed on theperiphery of the engine fly wheel. As will be evident, if the startermotor is energized while the fly wheel is turning, either the startermotor, or fly wheel, or both may be seriously damaged.

The actuating means of the prior art systems for starting a combustionengine from a remote location include no means for obviating thisproblem. Typical of such prior art systems is the device shown in WoydenPatent 2,952,- 782. The actuating means taught by Woyden basicallycomprises a plurality of relays which connect a source of potential to astarter motor for energizing the motor upon receipt of a command signaland which, upon starting of the engine, disconnect the potential sourcefrom the motor.

While an actuating means of the type shown in the Woyden patent may beoperative for initially starting an engine, it does not include anymeans for regulating reenergization of the starter motor should theengine momentarily start but not continue to run. Thus, immediatelyafter an initial unsuccessful starting of the engine the actuating meanswould re-energize the starter motor causing the starter motor gear toattempt to re-engage the toothed periphery of the fly wheel while thefly wheel is still moving, resulting in possible damage to either orboth the starter motor and fly wheel. As will be apparent, thisdeficiency of the prior art systems severely limits their usefulness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention otters an optimumsolution to the problems associated with the prior art systems forstarting a combustion engine from a remote location.

The remote control system of the invention includes a radio frequencytransmitter having means for frequency modulating the transmittedcontrol signals, and a receiver having control signal decoding meanswhich is virtually insensitive to any control signals other than thesignals transmitted from the transmitter of the same system. Thereceiver of each system is adapted to be operatively connected to acombustion engine so that upon receipt of a command from the transmitterof the same system only that particular engine will be started. Thecontrol signal coding and decoding means utilized in the remote controlsystem of the invention overcomes the practical limitation of excessivecost to the average consumer and obviates the limitation ofunreliability, both of which are extant to a greater or lesser degree inthe prior remote control systems applicable for individual consumer use.

The transmitter of the system of the invention comprises means forgenerating and encoding a selective series of control signals utilizingfrequency modulation techniques.

The receiver of the system includes a control signal decoding meanscomprising a stepping-chain switching circuit having a plurality oftuned circuits which are oper- 4 the engine until the moving partsthereof and particularly the fly wheel, have stopped.

The construction of both the receiver and transmitter of the system ofthe invention is of a compact and rugged nature to insure an extended,trouble-free operating life for the system. In'addition, the small sizeof the receiver facilitates the installation thereof in an automotivevehicle. Similarly, the transmitter is of a size which permits it to beconveniently carried in the pocket offa user.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a remote control system for automatically startinga combustion engine from a location remote from the engine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a radio operatedremote control system having means which virtually precludes theinitiation of a control function by the receiver of a particular systemexcept upon command of the transmitter of the same system. I

It is another object of the invention to provide a radio operated remotecontrol system having means for coding and decoding control signals,which coding and decoding means insure that the receiver of a particularsystem will be operatively energized onlyupon receipt of commands fromthe transmitter of the same system.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a remote controlsystem for energizing the starter motor associated with a combustionengine which system includes an actuating means that prevents thestarter motor from being re-energized after an initial unsuccessfulstarting of the engine until after the engine has stopped.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon aconsideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodimentthereof given in connection with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of thedecoding means of the receiver of the remote control system ofthemvention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the actuating means of the receiver ofthe remote control system of the in vention; and I i FIG. 2 is a partialschematic and partial block diagram of the transmitter of the remotecontrol system of the invention. j

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The radio operated remotecontrol system of the invention includes a remote control receiver 10,shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Receiver 10 is adapted to be installed in acombustion engine powered vehicle, such as an automobile, and comprisesa conventional radio frequency receiving device 12 (FIG. 1A) which isadapted to receive and amplify frequency modulatedcontrol signalstransmitted from a remote location. As in conventional FM receivers,receiving device 12 extracts the controlsignals from a modulated carriersignal having the frequencies of the control signals impressedthereon.'One of the final stages of receiving device 12 is a controlsignal output stage (not shown) which is connected to a lead 14.

Remote control receiver 10 also includes a steppingchain switchingcircuit 16 (FIG. 1A) which is connected motor, but also includes meanswhich prevent the starter of potential used for energizing the startermotor and the motor, and which is responsive to starting of the engineto prevent the potential source from being reconnected to the startermotor after an initial unsuccessful starting of by lead 14 to thecontrol signal output stage of FM receiving device 12.Switching'circ'uit' "16 comprises a plurality. of tuned circuits '18,20, 22,-24 and' 26. Although switching'circuit 16 is shown to'includefive tuned cir cuits, a greater or lesser number of tuned circuits mightbeused as" is appropriate and desirable in a particular remote controlsystem. The tuned circuits are. connected in parallel across thecontrolsignal outputstage. of receiving device 12 by lead 14. 3

- Each of the tuned circuits 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. comprises an RCnetwork, including a capacitor 28 and resistors 30, 32 and 34. Resistor30 is connected between capacitor 28 and the system ground 36. Oneterminal Uponreceipt .of a frequency modulated of resistor 32 isconnected to capacitor 28 in parallel with resistor 30 and the otherterminal is connected in series with resistor 34 to ground 36. Thecapacitance value of each of the capacitors 28'and the resistance valueof the several resistors 30, 32 and 34 are selected so that each of thetuned circuits will be resonant at a different frequency. Each of thecircuits, therefore, will be responsive to, and energized by aparticular control signal received from the output stage of receivingdevice 12. As shown in FIG. 1A, the components of the respective tunedcircuits may be selected so that tuned circuit 18 is resonant at afrequency of 200 c.p.s., tuned circuit 20' resonant at a frequency of300 c.p.s., tuned circuit 22 resonant at a frequency of 450 c.p.s. tunedcircuit 24 resonant at a frequency of 500 c.p.s. and tuned circuit 26resonant at a frequency of 600 c.p.s.

Each of the tuned circuits also includes a switching transistor 38comprising a conventional NPN transistor. The base electrode 40 of eachtransistor 38 is connected to the associated capacitor 28, resulting inthe "application of an electric potential onto the base electrodewhenever a current flow is established through the capacitor. Each ofthe base electrodes 40 is thus rendered sensitive to the energization ofthe tuned circuit in which it is connected. The emitter electrode 42 ofeach transistor '38 is connected to the junction between resistors 32and 34. The collector electrodes 44 of the transistors are connected toswitching devices which may be electromechanical switches, such asrelays 46, 48, 50, 52 and '54. Each relay has an energizing coil 56which is connected to the collector electrode of the associatedtransistor by a lead 58.

i The switching transistor 38 of each tuned circuit will be biased intoa conducting state whenever .potential is applied onto base electrode40incident to current flow through the associated capacitor 28. Eachtransistor 38 will thus be switched to a conducting state whenever thetuned circuit in which the transistor is connected is energized by theimpression thereon of the proper frequency from the control signaloutput stage of receiving device 12. After a particular transistor 38 isbiased into a conducting state, current will be permitted to flowthrough the transistor from collector electrode 44 to ernitterelectrode42, thus establishing a path from the energizing coil 56 of theassociated relay to the system ground via lead58, transistor 38 andresistor 34.

A source of electric potential .59, which conveniently may be aconventionaliautomotive battery, is connected to the energizing coil ofrelay 46 by a lead 60.

"Each. of: the "relays has a relay switch 62 associated therewith whichis connected between. the energizing 'coil. of its own relay and thecoilof the adjacent relay on the'right by leads 61 and; 63, respectively. Aseach relay switch 62 is closed, beginning with relay 46, potential fromsource 59 becomes available at the'lead'61 andswitch 62 of the adjacentrelay tothe'right. As will be apparent from this description, relayswitches 62 are interconnected in a series circuit, which circuit willbe closedjuponthe seriatim energization of each of the relays beginningwith relay 46.,

carrier signal, receiving device 12 extracts and amplifies the controlsignals which have-been impressed thereon. The amplified control-signalsare then'. impressed onto tuned. circuits 18, 20, 22 ,24 and26'bythecontrol signal output stage of receivingdevic'e 12 through lead 14. Ifthe frequencies and order of the'control signals correspond to theselective series of control signals required to serially energizethe'tuned'circuitsfthe seriatirn'impression of the control signals ontothe tunedcircuits" serially energizes each of the circuitsbeginning'with tuned ci'rcuit'18'.;Seriatim energization of tunedcircuits 18, 20", 22, 24' and 26' causes relays 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54associated respectively therewith, to beserially" energizedin-that'order,=which -'thus closes theseriestcircuit:formed-by. relayswitches 62. The relays are slow-release devices. Therefore, after relay46, for example, has been energized, the relay switch 62 associatedtherewith will remain closed for a suffi- .cient length of time topermit the switch 62 associated with relay 5-4, the last switch in theseries circuit, to close.

Upon closing of the switch 62 associated with relay 54, stepping-chainswitching circuit 16 closes, and current from source 59 flows throughthe series circuit formed by relay switches 62, permitting a source ofpotential to become available at a lead 64 connected to the final switchof the series circuit.

Lead 64 is also connected to an actuating means 66 which is operativelyconnected to an electric starter motor associated with the combustionengine to be started, for example the starter motor associated with theinternal combustion engine of an automobile.

Actuating means 66 includes a triggerring mechanism, such as a relay 68,which is adapted to trigger the actuating means in response to closingof switching circuit 16. The energizing coil of relay 68 is connected toswitching circuit 16 by lead 64 and to the system ground through afluid-pressure sensitive switch which is installed at an appropriatelocation for sensing the pressure of the engine lubricant. The switchopens only when the lubricant attains a predetermined pressure level andthus remains closed when the engine is not running. Therefore, when theengine is not running, upon closing of switch.- ing circuit 16 relay 68will be energized. When this occurs a relay switch 70 associated withthe relay will be closed.

The movable contact of switch 70 is also connected to switching circuit16, by a lead 72 and lead 64, so that when relay 68 is energized asource of potential becomes available at the stationary contact ofswitch 7 From switch 70, current passes through a lead 74 to a switchingmechanism, which conveniently may be a relay 76. Relay 76 has a switch78 associated therewith, including two stationary contacts 80 and 82. Asshown in FIG. 1B, when relay 76 is de-energized, the movable contact ofswitch 78 engages stationary contact 80; the latter being connected tolead 74. Thus, upon energization of relay 68 current passes through lead74 to contact 80 and through the movable contact of switch 78. Thelatter contact, in turn, is connected to the energizing coil of relay 76by leads 84, 86 and 88. The energizing coil of relay 76 is alsoconnected to the system ground through a lead 90 and a relay 92. Relay92 has a switch 93 associated there with which is closed when the relayis de-energized to complete the circuit to ground from the coil of relay76. Thus, relay 76 will be energized upon energization of relay 68responsive to closing of switching circuit 16. When this occurs, themovable contact of switch 78 disengages stationary contact 80 andengages stationary contact 82; the latter being connected topotential'source 59 by leads 94 and 104. As will b apparent, when source59 is connected to the energizing coil of relay 76 via contact 82, therelay will be locked in an energized state.

- Upon locking of relay 76 potential becomes available atlead 86 forsupplying current to all of the components of actuating means 66. Thiscondition will be maintained as long as the energizing coil of relay 76is connected to ground through switch 93 associated with relay 92,irrespective of the position of switch 70 associated with relay 68. I

Lead 86 is connected to another switching devicesuch as relay 106. Relay106 has a pair of switches 108 and 110 associated therewith, the movablecontacts of both of which are connected to lead 86. Switch 108 has asingle stationary contact 112 which isdisengaged from the movablecontact of the switch when the relay. is.deenergized; while switch 110has a pair of stationary contacts 114 and 116, the former of which isengaged by the movable contact of the switch when the relay isdeenergized and the latter when the relay is energized. Thus, whencurrent flows through lead 86 and switch 110,

7 it will pass from the latter through a lead 118 connected tostationary contact 114.

Lead 118, in turn, is connected to a circuit breaker means, whichconveniently may comprise a relay 120. Relay 120 has a pair of switches122 and 124 associated therewith. Switches 122 and 124 are structurallysimilar to switches 108 and 110 associated with relay 106, having,respectively, a single stationary contact 126 and a pair of contacts 128and 130. As shown in FIG. 1B, the movable contact of switch 124 isconnected to lead 118. As will be apparent from the above description,when relay 76 becomes locked in the energized state and relays 106 and120 are in a de-energized state, a source of potential from source 59will become available at stationary contact 128 via leads 104 and 94,switch 78, leads 84 and 86, switch 110, lead 118, and switch 124.

' Contact 128 is connected to another switching device, whichconveniently may be a relay 130 having a pair of switches 132 and 134associated therewith. Switches 132 and 134 are also structurally similarto switches 108 and 110 associated with relay 106, having respectively,a single stationary contact 136 and a pair of contacts 138 and 140.Contact 128 is connected through a diode 129 to the movable contact ofboth of switches 132 and 134, and also to the energizing coil of relay130 by a lead 142. The energizing coil of relay 130 is also connected toa time delay mechanism 144.

Time delay mechanism 144 conveniently comprises an electricallyenergized thermal unit which opens a predetermined period of time aftercurrent is applied to the heater thereof. Mechanism 144 is connected tothe system ground through a relay 146 having a switch 147 associatedtherewith. Switch 147 remains closed as long as relay 146 remainsde-energized to thus complete the circuit to ground from the energizingcoil of relay 130. Thus, when potential becomes available at contact 128relay 130 will be energized. When this occurs the movable contact ofswitch 134 engages contact 140 and thus connects the heater of timedelay mechanism 144 to the source of potential available at contact 128.In addition, when relay 130 is energized the movable contact of switch132 engages stationary contact 136 which is connected directly to source59 by a lead 148 and lead 104. Since the movable contact of switch 132is connected to the energizing coil of relay 130 by lead 142, when therelay is energized source 59 will be connected directly to theenergizing coil of the relay to insure that the relay will remainenergized even if the potential at contact 128 waivers or becomesinsufficient to maintain relay 130 in the energized state.

As soon as relay 130 is energized, the heater of time delay mechanism144 commences heating. After the heater has been energized for apredetermined period of time, for example, seconds, the mechanism willopen which, in turn, opens the circuit to ground from the energizingcoil of relay 130, causing the relay to deenergize. Thereupon themovable contact of switch 134 engages contact 138.

Contact 138 is connected to the energizing coil of relay 146 and to alead 148. Thus, when relay 130 is de-energized by time delay mechanism144, the potential available at contact 128 passes through switch 134 tothe energizing coil of relay 146, causing the relay to energize.Euergization of relay 146, in turn, causes switch 147 to open, tothereby open the circuit to ground from the energizing coil of relay130. Relay 130 cannot thereafter be energized as long as potentialremains available at contact 128 even though the heater of mechanism 144'cools sufficiently to close the mechanism.

Interposedin lead 148 is a switch 150 comprising one of a pair ofmechanically actuated switches 150 and 151 which, together comprise aswitching means that is operatively connected to the transmissionassociated with the engine. When the transmission is disengaged, forexample, infpark or neutral, switch 150 is closed, establishing thecontinuity of lead 148. From switch 150, lead 148 is connected to thesolenoid of the electrical starter motor associated with the engine.Thus, when potential becomes available contact 138, and if thetransmission is disengaged, the starter motor will be energized.

When the engine starts it will drive the usual electric potentialgenerating means associated therewith, such as a generator oralternator, to provide the necessary electric power for operating theengine and any electric accessories that may be installed in the vehiclein which'the engine is mounted. r

The generating means is connected to the energizing coil of relay by alead 152 through a diode 154. The coil of relay 120 is also connecteddirectly to the system ground. Thus, when a source of potential becomesavailable at the generating means relay 120 will be energized. When thisoccurs, the movable contact of switch 124 will disengage stationarycontact 128 and engage stationary contact and the movable contact ofswitch 122 will engage stationary contact 126. As soon as contact 128 isdisengaged potential no longer becomes available at lead 148 throughswitch 134, and the starter motor is de-energized.

As willbe evident from the above description, actuating means 66includes means for energizing an electric starter motor associated witha combustion engine and means responsive to starting of the engine forde-energizing the motor. If the actuating means included nothing morethan these operative features, it would accomplish what the prior artsystems have done but would not prevent the starter motor from becomingre-energized should the engine momentarily start but not continue torun. As previously discussed, should this occur, it is likely thateither the starter motor, or engine fly wheel, or both will be damaged.

The actuating means of the system of the present invention isparticularly designed to avoid such an occurrence. Assuming that theengine starts momentarily resulting in at least the momentary generationof potential by the generating means associated therewith, suchpotential will pass through lead 152 and diode 154, and at leastmomentarily energize relay 120. As described above when this occurs, themovable contact of switch 124 will disengage stationary contact 128 tobreak the starter motor energization circuit. When potential is nolonger available at stationary contact 138 of switch 134, relay 146 willde-energize, allowing switch 147 associated therewith to close, againcompleting the circuit to ground from the energizing coil of relay 130.Thereaftereven if the engine fails to start and relay 120 isde-energized, the energization circuit of relay 130 will have beenre-established; To obtain this result, time delay mechanism 144 isselected so that only a relatively short period of time is required forthe heater thereof tocool sufliciently to close the mechanism, forexample 5-10 seconds.

Therefore, upon de-energization of relay- 120 and the resultantre-engagement of stationary contact 128 by the movable contact of switch124,relay 130will again be energized in the manner-described above.Whenthis occurs, the movable contact of switch 134 will disengagestationary contact 138 to thus preclude re-energizatidn of the startermotor for the'period of time required for the heater of time delaymechanism 144 to' again heat sufiiciently to open the mechanism, andthereby open the circuitto ground from theenergizing.coi1 of relay j130. During this period, the moving parts. of the enginestopcompletely..Thereafter, when 'relay1 130 de-energizes and thestartermotor is re-energized, via switch 134 and lead 148, the startermotor gear will re-engage the fly wheel only after the wheel hasstopped.A i To further insure that the starter motor will not'be reenergized.after- 'aninitial unsuccessful starting of. the engine until the movingparts of the engine havestopped, a second time delay mechanism 156 isprovided which cooperates with mechanism 144to delay re-energization ofthe started motor for a second predetermined period of time.

Time delay mechanism 156 is connected to the energizing coil of relay106 and to the system ground. The heater of mechanism'156 is connectedto stationary contact 112 of switch 108.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the energizing coil of relay 106 is also connectedto the generating means associated with the engine by lead.152 through adiode 158. Additionally, the coil of relay 106 is connected tostationary contact 116 of switch 110 through a diode 160 and tostationary contact 130 of switch 124 through a diode 162. Thus, whenpotential becomes available at either the generating means or,stationary contact 11 6 or stationary contact 130 the energizationcircuit of relay 106 will be completed through time delay mechanism 156.

When the engine starts and current passes through lead 152 to theenergizing coil of relay 120 it will also pass through the energizincoil of relay 106. With respect to the latter, when this occurs themovable contact of switch 110" will engage stationary contact 116 tothereby connect the source of potential available at lead 86 directly tothe coil of relay 106 causing the relay to lock in an energized state.At the same time, the same source of potential will be connected to theheater of time delay mechanism 156 via the movable contact of switch 108and stationary contact 112. As will be apparent from this description,relay 106 and mechanism 156 will thus remain energized even if theengine only momentarily starts.

As long as relay 106 remains energized the movable contact of switch 110will be disengaged from stationary contact 114 so that even if relay 120has de-energized allowing the movable contact of switch 124 to re-engagestationary contact 128, no potential will be available via lead 118 andthe movable contact of switch 124 at contact 128 for re-energizing thestarter motor.

After the predetermined period of time required for the heater ofmechanism 156 to heat sufficiently to open the mechanism, for exampleseven seconds, andthus break the circuit to ground from the energizing,coil of relay 106, the relay will de-energize and the movable contactof switch 110 will re-engage stationary contact 114 to re-establish thestarter motor energization circuit to switch 134 associated with relay130. As will beapparent, the periods of time during which time delaymechanisms 144 and 156 prevent re-energization of the starter motor runconsecutively rather than concurrently.

Mechanism 156 thus acts as a safety backup for mechanism 144 andcooperates with the latter to prevent the starter motor from beingre-energized .after an initial unsuccessful starting of the engine untilthe moving parts of the engine have stopped completely.

Once the engine starts and remains running, relay 120 will remainenergized and thereby prevent potential from becoming available atstationary contact 128 for re-energizing the starter motor. As long asthe engine remains running relay 106 will be periodicallyenergized anddeenergized by the action of time delay mechanism 156.

Actuating means 66 also includes means for energizing the ignitionsystem of the engine. For this purpose a relay 164 is provided having aswitch 166 associated therewith. Switch 166 includes a stationarycontact 168 which is engaged by the movable contact of the switch whenrelay 164 is de-energized and a stationary contact 170 which is engagedwhen the relay is energized.

The movable contact of switch 166 is connected to lead 86 by a lead 172.Thus, when potential becomes available at lead 86 through switch 78 italso becomes available at the movable contact of switch 166 through,lead 172.

The energizing coil of relay 164 is connected to lead 148 by a lead 174and a diode 176 and is also connected to the generating means associatedwith the engine by a lead 178 and a diode 180. The coil is alsoconnected directly to the" system'ground so that "when'potent'ialbecomes available either at lead 148 or at lead 152 relay 164 will beenergized.

As will be apparent, before potential becomes available at lead 148 forenergizing the starter motor, i.e. during the time delay period ofmechanism 144, the movable contact of switch 166 will engage stationarycontact 168. The-latter, in turn, conveniently may be connected to theengine fuel pump and to-a solenoid which actuates the fuel 'valve of theengine carburetor. As' soon as potential becomes available at lead 148for energizing the starter motor, relay 164 will energize and themovable contact of switch 166 will disengage stationary contact 168 andengage stationary contact the latter contact being connectedto theengine ignition system. Thus, the ignition system will be energizedconcomitantly with energization of the starter motor.

After the engine starts, relay 164 will be locked in an energized stateby the current passing through lead 152 from the generating means.

Also, after the engine starts and before the operator thereof hasreached the location of the vehicle in which the engine is mounted,switch 151 prevents an unauthorized userfrom engaging the transmissionand removing the vehicle. As previously mentioned, switch 151 is part ofa switching means that is operatively connected to the transmission. Theswitch is also connected by a lead 182 and lead 104 to source 59, and bya lead 184 to the energizing coil of relay 92. Thus, when the switch isclosed, relay 92 will be energized opening switch 93 associatedtherewith and thereby opening the circuit to ground from the energizingcoil of relay 7 6. As will be evident, when this occurs relay 76 will bede-energized and potential will no longer be available at any of thecomponents of the actuating means. And specifically, potential will nolonger be available through switch 166 for energizing the ignitionsystem of the engine causing the engine to stop.

Switch 151 conveniently is placed in series with a switch 186 which isactuated by a key-operated lock and which remains closed when the key isremoved from the lock. When the authorized operator of the vehicleinserts the key and opens the switch, the energization circuit of relay92 will remain open even though switch 151 is closed, upon engagement ofthe transmission.

Switch 150, as previously mentioned, is closed when the transmission isdisengaged to establish the continuity of lead 148. However, when thetransmission is drivingly engaged switch 150- is opened so that thecurrent which passes through lead 148 for ostensibly energizing thestarter motor, passes instead through the energizing coil of a relay188. The coil of relay 188 is grounded through the starter motorsolenoid and is selected so that the resistance thereof reduces theamount of current which passes through the starter motor solenoid to anamount that is insufficient to energize the latter.

Relay 188 has a switch 190 associated therewith which is connectedbetween lead 104 from source 59 and lead 184 to the energizing coil ofrelay 92, and which is closed when the relay is energized. Thus, if thetransmission is drivingly engaged, when potential becomes available atlead 148.for ostensibly energizing the starter motor relay 188 will beenergized instead of the starter motor. Energization of relay 188 andthe resultant closing of switch 190 causes relay 92 to be energized. Asdescribed above, when this occurs relay 76 is de-energized and potentialno longer becomes available for energizing the components of actuatingmeans 66, thus precluding energization of the starter motor. As will beevident, switches 150 and 151 act together to prevent the starter motorfrom being energized when the transmission is drivingly en'- gaged, andthe latter in addition de-energizes'the ignition system if thetransmission is drivingly engaged by an unauthorized operator after theengine has started.

Actuating means 66 also includes means for stopping the engine from aremote location after it has been started should the operator desiremerely to run the engine for 11 a period of time unattended, for exampleto warm up the engine periodically. Such means include a lead 192connected between the energizing coil of relay 92 and stationary contact126 of switch 122 associated with relay 120. The movable contact ofswitch 122 is connected to vlead 64 by a lead 194. After the engine hasbeen started should the operator desire to stop it he again causesswitching circuit 16 to close by transmitting the selective series ofcontrol signals required to energize tuned circuits 18, 20, 22, 24 and26. At this time the fluid-pressure sensitive switch interposed betweenthe system ground and the energizing coil of relay 68 will be openpreventing relay 68 from being energized. Also, relay 120 will beenergized and the movable contact of switch 122 will be engaged withstationary contact 126. Thus, the potential available at lead 64 uponclosing of switching circuit 16 will pass through lead 194, switch 122and lead 192 to the energizing coil of relay 92. When relay 92 isenergized, relay 76 will be de-energized, as described above, andpotential will no longer be available for energizing the engine ignitionsystem.

Remote control receiver 10, including switching circuit 16 and actuatingmeans 66, may be mounted in any convenient location in a combustionengine powered vehicle, such as an automobile. The components of thereceiver are of a small size and may be assembled in a compact andrugged unit requiring a minimum of installation space.

A remote control system transmitter 96 is used in conjunction withreceiver 10. Transmitter 96 is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises aconventional radio transmitting device 98 having means (not shown) forgenerating and transmitting a carrier signal of a selected frequency andmeans (not shown) for frequency modulating the carrier signal withselected control signals of different frequencies. Transmitting device98 includes an oscillator (not shown) for generating the control signalsto be impressed on the carrier signal. The oscillator circuit includes aplurality of different-valued capacitors 100. When a particularcapacitor 100 is switched into the oscillator circuit, the oscillatorwill generate a control signal of a frequency which is dependent uponthe capacitance of the particular capacitor.

Capacitors 100 and a timed switching unit 102 form a timed switchingcircuit for serially switching each of the capacitors into the controlsignal generating oscillator circuit. Switching unit 102 may be a springmotor device similar to a telephone-dialing switch. Unit 102 is designedso that capacitors 100 will be serially switched into the oscillatorcircuit in synchronism with the seriatim energization of relays 46, 48,50, 52 and 54, with the values of capacitors 100 being selected so thatthe series of control signals thereby transmitted correspond to theresonant frequencies of tuned circuits 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26.

Transmitter 96 also may be constructed as a small compact unit which maybe conveniently carried in the pocket of a user. Thus, when the userdesires to start they internal combustion engine of his automobile, hemerely takes the transmitter out of his pocket and manipulates switchingunit 102 in the same fashion as he would a telephone-dialing switch.Upon receipt of the properly coded series of transmitted controlsignals, receiver energizes the starter motor as described above.

The convenience of the remote control system of the invention isobvious. On cold days, it is frequently desirable to allow an internalcombustion engine to warm up for a short period of time beforesubjecting the engine to heavy driving loads. In hot seasons of theyear, it may be desirable to start an automotive internal combustionengine which is drivingly connected to an air-conditioning unit so thatthe vehicle will be cool when the user enters it. In either situation auser may conveniently start the engine of his automobile from a remotelocation. such as within his house or apartment, prior to his arrival atthe vehicle.

The simultaneous or individual operation of numerous of the remotecontrol systems of the invention in a limited ing inadvertent enginestarting.

Additionally, the actuating means of the remote control system of theinvention includes at least one and preferably two time delay mechanismswhich prevent the starter motor from being re-energized until the movingparts of the engine have stopped completely should the engine initiallystart but not continue to run. The system of the invention thus obviatestwo of the major deficiencies of the prior art systems, that ofinadvertent control function actuation and re-energization of thestarter motor while parts of the engine are still moving after aninitial unsuccessful starting. In addition, the system is ruggedlyconstructed and is within the economic availability of the averageconsumer.

The foregoing specific description of a preferred embodiment of theremote control system of the invention .is illustrative of merely oneexample thereof and is not intended to unduly limit the scope of theinvention, as various modifications within the spirit of the inventionwill occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of theinvention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A system for starting, from a remote location, a combustion enginehaving an electric starter motor and a means for generating electricpotential associated therewith, said system comprising:

a stepping-chain switching circuit responsive to a selective series ofcontrol signals;

means for impressing the selective series of control signals onto theswitching circuit for closing said circuit; and a an actuating meansconnected to the switching circuit and adapted to be connected to saidstarter motor for energizing said motor, said actuating meanscomprising, a switching mechanism operatively connected to the switchingcircuit and adapted to be connected to a source of electric potential,said switching mechanism being responsive to and closing upon closing ofthe switching circuit, a time delay mechanism operatively connected tothe switching mechanism and adapted to be operatively connected to thestarter motor for connecting the potential source to the motor when theswitching mechanism is closed to thereby energize the motor, and acircuit breaker means operatively connected to the time delay mechanismand adapted to be operatively connected to said generating means, saidcircuit breaker meansbeing responsive to starting of the engine fordisconnecting the time delay mechanism from the switching mechanism uponstarting of the engine to thereby prevent the time delay mechanism fromconnecting the potential source to the motor afterthe engine has startedand for reconnecting the time delay mechanism to the switching mechanismif the engine momentarily starts but does not continue to run to therebyallow the time delay mechanism to reconnect the potential source to themotor for reenergizing themot'or, said time delay mechanism beingoperative to prevent the potential source from being reconnected to themotor for a predetermined period of time after the time delay mechanismis reconnected to the switching mechanism so that if the enginemomentarily starts but does not continue to run, the motor will not bere-energized until after the engine has stopped.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the engine also has anignition system associated therewith, and wherein said switchingmechanism is adpated to be operatively connected to said ignition systemfor connecting the potential source thereto.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, further comprising means responsiveto closing of the switching circuit after the engine has started foropening the switching mechanism to thereby disconnect the potentialsource from the ignition system and thus stop the engine.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the engine also has atransmission associated therewith, and further comprising a switchingmeans operatively connected to the switching mechanism and adapted to beresponsively connected to said transmission for opening the switchingmechanism and thereby preventing'the potential source from beingconnected to the starter motor if the transmission is drivingly engaged.

5. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein the engine also has anignition system associated therewith, and wherein the switchingmechanism is adapted to be operatively connected to said ignition systemfor connecting the potential source thereto, and wherein said switchingmeans is operative to open the switching mechanism and therebydisconnect the potential source from the ignition system to stop theengine if said transmission is drivingly engaged after the engine hasbeen started.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second timedelay mechanism operatively connected to the circuit breaker means andadapted to be operatively connected to said generating means, saidsecond time delay mechanism acting as a safety backup for saidfirstmentioned time delay mechanism and being responsive to starting ofthe engine for preventing the circuit breaker means from reconnectingthe first time delay mechanism to the switching mechanism and therebypreventing the potential source from being reconnected to the motor fora second predetermined period of time after the engine starts so that ifthe engine momentarily starts but does not continue to run the motorwill not be re-energized until after the engine has stopped.

7. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein said first and second timedelay mechanisms comprise electrically energized thermal units.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said switching circuitcomprises, a plurality of tuned circuits, means for serially energizingsaid tuned circuits, and a plurality of serially connected switchingdevices operatively connected to the tuned circuits whereby saidswitching devices are serially cosed upon seriatim energization of thetuned circuits.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means forgenerating said selective series of control signals.

10. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein said control signals are ofdiiferent frequencies.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said engine is an internalcombustion engine.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,724 6/1962 Kennemer 1231793,271,680 9/1966 Reynolds 3l7-138 XR 3,275,836 9/1966 Vancha 123179 XRLAURENCE M. GOODRIDGE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

